Vaccines back in stock – EMM
The vaccine immunises babies against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio and Hepatitis B.
Both public and private medical health care centres have enough stock of the Hexaxim vaccine.
No end in sight to vaccine shortages
This is according to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM).
Spokesperson Mr Themba Gadebe said clinics in the Bedfordview and Edenvale areas have sufficient stock.
“As reported earlier this year, the Gauteng Department of Health (Ekurhuleni District Health) is responsible for the provision of vaccines to the Primary Health Care facilities,” said Mr Gadebe.
Babies left vulnerable as vaccine supply runs dry
He said Ekurhuleni health facilities have been experiencing shortages of Hexaxim vaccine on certain occasions due to the increased demand and suppliers having difficulty to keep up with manufacturing demands.
“As per date, areas of Bedfordview and Edenvale have sufficient stock on hand and supply was restored to private providers. Health facilities currently have a supply of Hexaxim vaccine in stock,” said Mr Gadebe.
In December 2015, private healthcare providers reported shortage of the vaccine.
At the time, parents said they feared their babies were exposed to illnesses.
In November, private practitioners said they had a backlog of 30 babies still needing to be vaccinated.
Hexaxim is a six-in-one vaccine administered to babies between the ages of six and 14 weeks.
The vaccine immunises babies against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio and Hepatitis B.
